Basketball Jays Silence the Bears, 41-30
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Collin Kulivan started the game scoring all seven of the Blue Jays first points.
The Blue Jays made easy work of the Bears from Catholic High in the holiday season, Friday night match-up in the birdcage. A large student section was on hand to cheer on the Jays — well, at least in the 2nd quarter and beyond, as the student section orchestrated a cheering strategy called “Silent Night.” Fans were quiet in the stands until the 10th Blue Jay point was scored, then erupted in support of the Jays and remained vibrant all night.
Collin Kulivan came out with the hot hand in the first quarter, scoring Jesuit’s first seven points in quick order with a combination of jump-shots and a three pointer. Not a peep was heard from the crowd. The Blue Jay defense was able to execute some silencing of its own in the first quarter, allowing Catholic to score just three baskets.
After the first seven points, Jesuit missed a series of shots before Matt Artigues popped in an exciting put-back at the buzzer to give Jesuit a 9-6 lead at the end of the first quarter which–under normal circumstances–would have sent the crowd into a frenzy. It wasn’t until Will Hillery hit a 15-foot jump-shot that the crowd erupted, forcing Catholic to turn the ball over on the next possession and call a timeout to settle the players.
The Blue Jay defense again held the Bears to six points in the second quarter, and a consistent offensive attack, concluding with a Hunt Conroy buzzer beater, sent the Jays into the locker room at halftime with a 19-12 lead.
The second half was an up-and-down game, with both teams scoring points in transition. The different maker was Jesuit’s strong defense, which limited Catholic to shooting a 34% field goal percentage from the field. In the end, Jesuit simply made more shots and sunk their free throws as the Bears tried to catch up in the fourth quarter with heavy fouling. This allowed Jesuit to extend its lead to 11 with a final score of 41-30.
Leading scorers for the Jays were Collin Kulivan with 12, Will Hillery with 10, and Elijah Morgan with 9. Strong defensive performances were given by Hillery, Michael Hull, and Nick Artigues.
The Jays are back in action in the Birdcage on Saturday night at 7 PM against Vandebilt Catholic.
Galleries
Basketball vs Catholic, Dec. 17, 2016
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Hunt Conroy drains this shot at the halftime buzzer... -
Consistent free throw shooting kept the Jays ahead as the game trickled to a close with heavy fouling in the final minutes. -
Artigues tears down an offensive board to keep the Jesuit possession alive. -
The Blue Jay bench get up to congratulate Nick Artigues forcing an offensive foul for Catholic. -
Will Hillery keeps the pressure on as the game moves into the last minutes of the 3rd quarter. -
Hunt Conroy leaves his defender on the ground to attempt this floater in the lane. -
Mark Beebe makes this three-pointer from the wing in front of the Blue Jay bench. -
Hunt Conroy pulls up for three. -
Collin Kulivan gets a nice second chance shot at the goal. -
...to continue the momentum of the Blue Jay student section. -
Will Hillery and Michael Hull get the game started with heavy defensive pressure. -
Will Hillery completes a baseline drive with an open layup. -
Elijah then converts his energies to the defensive side of the court. -
Elijah Morgan sinks this open shot from the corner. -
Drew Black pulls up for three. -
...which broke the crowd's silence and sent fans into a craze. -
Will Hillery gets the Jays to the 10 point mark... -
Drew Black tears down an offensive rebound for a put-back. -
Michael Hull challenges the Catholic point guard. -
Collin Kulivan started the game scoring all seven of the Blue Jays first points.
